Maple News reports that three Canadian provinces—Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba—have issued invitations to immigration candidates as part of their latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, held between August 24 and August 30.
Canada’s PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on regional labor market demands and economic priorities. Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allocates a specific number of nominations to each province, with allocations reflective of factors such as population size and workforce needs. Ontario, being the most populous province, typically receives the highest number of nominations.
According to Canada’s 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC aims to welcome 110,000 newcomers through the PNP in 2024 alone.
On August 22, Ontario issued 1,287 notifications of interest to candidates under the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Eligible candidates had Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 400 and 435 and work experience in occupations classified under specific National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes prioritized by the province.
Meanwhile, on August 27, British Columbia extended more than 158 invitations through its British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). The invitations targeted Skilled Workers and International Graduates, including candidates in the Express Entry-aligned BC PNP streams. These selections align with B.C.’s strategy to support in-demand sectors such as technology, healthcare, and early childhood education.
Maple News notes that securing a provincial nomination does not equate to receiving permanent residency. Candidates must still apply separately to the federal government through IRCC to become permanent residents.
These latest draws underscore the importance of provincial programs in supporting Canada’s ambitious immigration goals and tailoring immigration to fit the unique needs of each province’s labor market.